Countering Violent Extremism Research That Supports Policy and Practice in Australia

This project will enhance countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts by equipping policymakers and frontline practitioners with AI-assisted forensic semiotic tools to identify, analyse, and counter extremist narratives. By uncovering how disinformation, social polarisation, and grievances fuel radicalisation, the research will inform evidence-based interventions to disrupt extremist recruitment and reduce social divisions. The findings will support intelligence and law enforcement agencies in developing targeted counter-narratives, strengthening early detection mechanisms, and improving digital platform regulation to curb extremist content amplification. Additionally, the project will benefit educators, journalists, and civil society by fostering digital literacy and resilience against manipulative rhetoric. Its interdisciplinary approach—combining discourse analysis, AI, and communication theories—will provide scalable, adaptable strategies applicable in Australia and globally. Ultimately, the project will contribute to social cohesion, reducing the impact of extremist ideologies by addressing their linguistic and psychological mechanisms at their core.